Involvement of aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator in EGF-induced c-Jun/Sp1-mediated gene expression

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2010 Oct;67(20):3523-33. doi: 10.1007/s00018-010-0392-9. Epub 2010 May 28.

Abstract

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) binds to other basic helix-loop-helix Per/ARNT/Sim (bHLH-PAS) proteins to form functional transcriptional complexes in order to regulate specific biological pathways. Here, we report a novel mechanism that upon EGF treatment, ARNT associated with non-bHLH-PAS transcription factors, c-Jun/Sp1, and regulated gene expression, through forming a c-Jun/ARNT/Sp1 complex and binding to the Sp1 site of the gene promoter. EGF-induced promoter activity and the mRNA level of 12(S)-lipoxygenase as well as the association between c-Jun and Sp1 were reduced by ARNT knockdown. Notably, dominant negative c-Jun mutant, TAM-67, blocked ARNT-mediated 12(S)-lipoxygenase expression, demonstrating that c-Jun was responsible for the transcriptional activation. Moreover, ARNT knockdown also inhibited other EGF-induced c-Jun/Sp1 mediated gene expression, such as p21( WAF1/CIP1 ). Our results reveal a novel mechanism by which ARNT acts as a modulator to bridge the c-Jun/Sp1 interaction and plays a role in EGF-mediated gene expression under normoxic conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / genetics
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / metabolism*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Lipoxygenase / genetics
  • Lipoxygenase / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • Sp1 Transcription Factor
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Lipoxygenase